Astounding Stories of Super-Science September 1930

In Short

This issue of Astounding Stories represents the quintessential pulp magazine experience of 1930, blending cosmic warfare, submarine exploration, and psychological thrillers into a fast-paced, episodic format. Through tales of invisible invaders, mind-controlling machines, and subterranean civilizations, it explores the boundaries of human ingenuity and resilience. While the prose is rooted in the high-adventure conventions of its era, the magazine’s enduring appeal lies in its unbridled sense of wonder and its dedication to the "what-if" scenarios that defined the early evolution of the science fiction genre.

The Story

The magazine offers a tapestry of distinct, high-stakes narratives. In "A Problem in Communication," Benda and Smith find themselves trapped in a mysterious "Science Community," where they must decipher an intricate code to survive and outwit their captors. Meanwhile, the three-part serial Jetta of the Lowlands transports readers to a future where the oceans have drained, revealing a vast, dangerous underworld. Philip Grant, a detective sent on a mission to the Lowlands, becomes entangled in a web of political corruption and personal peril involving the enigmatic Jetta and the duplicitous Perona.

The scope shifts from Earth to the stars in "The Terrible Tentacles of L-472," where Commander John Hanson and his crew investigate a world dominated by carnivorous, sentient trees that pose a deadly threat to any who land. This theme of exploration continues in "Marooned Under the Sea," a novelette following three men whose diving sphere becomes trapped in the crushing depths, forcing them to survive encounters with nightmare leviathans and, eventually, a hidden, technologically advanced civilization called Zyobor.

The collection ventures into darker, more grounded territory with "The Murder Machine," where an ominous device uses hypnotic waves to turn unsuspecting citizens into tools of violence, forcing a physician to confront the reality of a manufactured crime spree. In "The Attack from Space," Captain S. P. Meek describes the terrifying arrival of invisible invaders whose presence is only detected through advanced scientific apparatus, leading to a desperate, last-ditch effort to defend the planet. Finally, the conclusion of "Earth, the Marauder" brings the issue to its climax, as the world faces total annihilation from Martian fire-balls and Moon-cubes. The protagonist, Sarka, must navigate a complex mental and physical battlefield, engaging in a high-stakes struggle against otherworldly wills to preserve the future of humanity. The issue concludes not with a finality of tone, but with an invitation for readers to engage in the "Readers’ Corner," bridging the gap between the magazine’s creators and its dedicated, inquisitive audience.

How It Unfolds

The mystery of entrapment In the opening stories, protagonists find themselves involuntarily confined—whether in a fenced-off "Science Community" or by a hypnotic device—setting the stage for a struggle against unseen oppressors. The narrative focus remains tight, highlighting the psychological toll of being controlled by forces beyond the characters' comprehension.

Descent into the unknown The stories shift into physical exploration, moving from the drained, post-oceanic landscapes of the future to the lightless, crushing pressures of the deep sea. Each expedition is met with hostile, alien biology, forcing characters to rely on primitive tools and sheer tenacity to survive.

Technological confrontation As the threats escalate, the characters deploy specialized equipment—television instruments, ultra-violet searchlights, and ray directors—to perceive and combat their enemies. The action centers on the tension between human ingenuity and the overwhelming, often invisible, power of the antagonists.

The final stand The arc reaches its zenith in planetary warfare, where the fate of Earth rests on the ability of individuals to outmaneuver both alien invaders and their own psychological weaknesses. The resolution of these conflicts serves to restore order, though the final pages suggest that the vast, dangerous universe remains a place of infinite possibility.

The People

Benda and Smith represent the archetype of the trapped intellectual, forced to use their wits to navigate a hostile, censored society where even their mail is intercepted. They represent the desire for autonomy in an environment designed to suppress it. Philip Grant, the protagonist of the Lowlands narrative, is a man of action whose mission is complicated by his attraction to Jetta and his distrust of the perfumed, manipulative Minister Perona. Perona stands as the embodiment of political treachery, using his position of influence to mask his own greed and ambition.

Commander John Hanson and his crew function as the standard-bearers for duty, facing the incomprehensible dangers of alien landscapes with a disciplined, military focus. Their resilience is contrasted by the sheer, overwhelming hostility of the worlds they encounter. Dr. Dale, the narrator of the "Murder Machine" case, serves as the grounded, skeptical observer who must reconcile his clinical understanding of science with the terrifying reality of mind-altering technology. Finally, Sarka acts as the heroic pivot for the planetary defense, a figure who must balance his emotional ties to his home and loved ones against the cold, strategic demands of a war that threatens the very existence of his world.

In Its Own Voice

"The delivery of his country into the clutches of a merciless, ultra-modern religion can be prevented only by Dr. Hagstrom's deciphering an extraordinary code."

(This summary introduces the central conflict of the opening story, establishing the stakes of the intellectual struggle ahead.)

"And the depths between? Unreal landscape! Mysterious realm which now we call the bottom of the sea!"

(This reflection on the drained ocean floor sets the atmospheric tone for the serialized adventure in the Lowlands.)

"It was as though a hurricane of wind had suddenly penetrated the unruffled depths."

(This description highlights the moment of sudden, violent transition from scientific exploration to a desperate fight for survival.)

What It's Really About

The magazine is preoccupied with the tension between the "known" and the "unknown." It posits that scientific advancement, while providing tools for survival, also creates new vulnerabilities. The stories argue that human courage is not merely physical, but an intellectual and moral act of defiance against forces—whether hypnotic, alien, or authoritarian—that seek to override individual agency. The recurring theme of the "invisible threat" asks the reader to consider what remains of humanity when the enemy cannot be seen, understood, or reasoned with. Ultimately, the work champions the idea that human progress is a fragile, continuous, and necessary battle.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the historical roots of science fiction will find this issue fascinating. It offers a clear window into how the genre first grappled with the rapid acceleration of twentieth-century technology, presenting a version of the future that feels simultaneously dated and timeless. The writing is brisk, direct, and unburdened by modern irony, creating an immersive, "pulp" atmosphere that values pacing and bold concepts above all else.

However, a reader today should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes and the stylistic conventions of 1930s adventure writing. The characterizations can lean toward the archetypal, and the prose is often functional rather than literary, serving the plot rather than the psychology. Some of the dialogue reflects the social hierarchies and attitudes of the era, which can feel jarring to a contemporary audience. Despite these period qualities, the sheer energy of the storytelling is infectious. The magazine succeeds because it assumes its readers are intelligent, curious, and eager for speculative challenge. For anyone interested in the foundational DNA of modern science fiction, or for those who simply enjoy a fast-paced, high-concept narrative, this collection offers a compelling, earnest, and deeply imaginative experience that has maintained its vitality for nearly a century.